Top 10 Feel Good Moments From 2013

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As 2013 quickly comes to a close, I wanted to take a look back at the most feel good moments of the year, the stories that brought happy tears to my eyes and left me with a smile on my face.
Take a break today for some inspiration and if you are anything like me, don’t forget the tissues.

1. Dance Party

When Deborah Cohan was going in for a bilateral mastectomy, her pre-op routine was like no other Ė it was a dance party! Breaking out her best moves in the OR, Cohan and a slew of other hospital doctors and nurses danced to Beyonce. Cohan called on her family and friends to join her virtually and dance wherever they were at 7:30 am the morning of her surgery.

Five-year-old Miles Scott loves Batman. And for one day the young leukemia patient got to live his dream of being Batman for the day when the citizens of San Francisco transformed their city into Gotham.

From saving a damsel in distress to stopping a bank robbery to being presented with a key to the city from the mayor himself, Scott’s dream was made possible thanks to the 13,000 people who turned out to make it all happen. He even got a message from President Obama.

At Olivet Middle School in Michigan, the school’s football team had a secret play up their sleeves, a play they even kept hidden from their coaches. The play centered solely around getting their teammate Keith Orr to score his first-ever touchdown. Orr is learning disabled and his teammates wanted to prove to him that he was a crucial part of the team and meant a lot to them.

Of the experience, one of the players said, “I kind of went from being somebody who mostly cared about myself and my friends to caring about everyone and trying to make everyone’s day and everyone’s life.”

Take a look at the whole secret play below:

5. An Honest Man

When Glen James, a homeless man in Boston, found a backpack with more than $40,000 he didn’t even†think of keeping the money. Instead he flagged down the police and handed over the bag which was soon returned to its rightful owner, a student visiting from China.

“Even if I were desperate for money, I would not have kept even a penny of the money found,” said James.

The Boston police held a ceremony to honor James for his “extraordinary show of character and honesty.”†Inspired by his story, Ethan Whittington, a 27-year-old from Virginia, has launched a fund for James which has raised more than $150,000 to date.

Being a mom is probably one of the hardest and often most thankless jobs in the world. Luckily it is also one of the most rewarding.

Take a look at the video below to see what kids think about their moms:

I hope one day my kids think Iím “totally awesome, fun to snuggle with, pretty, funny, unique, and their hero.”

7. Shrinking Women

This poetry slam by Lily Myers is one of the best videos I have seen all year, maybe ever. It might not make you cry, but it made me nod my head in agreement, clap, and even cheer.

8. A Fight for Education

Asean Johnson is 9 years old and he does not want his school to close. At a rally in Chicago, his speech left hundreds cheering. I see a successful political future for this passionate young man.

“Education is a right, that is why we have to fight!”

9. Heavenís Waiting Room

Sarah Nelson is a 9-year-old business owner and philanthropist. She started her own bakery called Sarah Bugs Sweet Treats and donates 50% of all her profits to her community’s local hospice center, which she calls “heaven’s waiting room.” She has already donated about $8,000.

Check out Sarahís story below:

10. A Homecoming Surprise

At a Giants game this November, the military family of the game got the surprise of a lifetime. The wife and daughter of Air Force Technical Sergeant David H. Brenhuber were given an early holiday gift when Sgt. Brenhuber ran out onto the field! The video is so touching! Gets me every time!

Isn't that just FABULOUS???? Love these stories. Particularly love the irony that the folks at a Home Depot in Utah helped a gay man propose. Now, they cannot get married there. For now. Love this story, thank you!!

Wonderful absolutely wonderful.
We do not create a better society by only writing about all that is wrong.
It makes us pessimistic and resigned.
How about spreading the news every single day,about all those that lift others up.solve conflicts instead of starting them.

Joyous moments to be shared showed me that heroes can be hospital patients facing serious surgery sharing a few minutes with the hospital staff about to perform a double breast removal dancing to upbeat music as if in celebration of her upcoming surgery. It was remarkable and joyous for it's unusual status as the most upbeat presurgery procedure I've ever seen! I remember my prebrain surgery mood almost ten years ago as being worried and afraid for the outcome. It went well though and I have reason to expect a long life without the cancer that plagued me almost ten years ago! Thank you for sharing this happy dance!

meet our writers

Julie M. Rodriguez is an arts, green living, and political writer based in San Mateo, CA. Her work has appeared in xoJane, Care2 Causes, Greener Ideal, and Inhabitat. Follow her on Twitter @julierwrites. less